ANNOUNCING 2011 WET-SCRAPE BRAINTAN BUCKSKIN CLASS:

The dates for this year's class have been set for Saturday and Sunday, November 12th and 13th.  The class will be held just of GA HWY 400 near Dawsonville GA, about an hour north of Atlanta.  We provide all hides, tools, materials, brains, etc.  You just come do the work, learn the technique from start to finish, and ask as many questions as you want. We begin early each morning, and go until late afternoon - but there is a lot of 'down time' to relax, socialize, and enjoy the mountain setting!   Each participant will take their finished smoked braintanned hide home with them Sunday evening.  Class size is limited to 8; cost is $125 per person.  A $50 deposit is required to reserve a spot in the class, with balance due upon arrival.

A 16' Lakota lodge (tipi) will be set up for primitive camping, or you can bring your own tent.  If you prefer a soft bed and hot shower (not a bad thing after a day working hides), several inexpensive motels are within a 5 minute drive. Click here for more detailed information.

Please email early if you are interested as this class usually fills up by Labor Day weekend!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

THANKS to all the great folks who work so hard each year to put together the Earthskills Rendezvous.  This year's Falling Leaves and Rivercane at Cherokee Farms was incredible!  We look forward to going back in the Fall.  Visit the page on Facebook   HERE

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WAYS OF THE ANCESTORS provides educational programs in Primitive Technologies and Ancient Lifeskills.  Skills our ancestors used on a daily basis, such as braintanning deerskins, friction firemaking, flintknapping, edible and medicinal plant use, primitive cooking without utensils, and primitive weaponry can all be learned by studying with our instructors. 

 

Since the beginning of time, our ancestors have lived close to the Earth.  Born without fur or claw, they had to learn to use nature's gifts in order to survive. Secrets hidden in the leaves, the trees, the rocks, even the Earth itself made life easier for those who were able to unlock them.

Primitive Skills Classes,  Braintan buckskins

Ways of the Ancestors provides programs and demonstrations in Primitive Skills which were practiced by people all over the world for thousands of years.  Regardless of your heritage, somewhere in your lineage members of your family knew how to tan deer skins using the animal's brain,  how to start fires by 'rubbing two sticks together,' and how to make functional tools  from native stone.  Now you, too, can reconnect with your past and learn these skills long-neglected and nearly forgotten by modern man.

Programs are custom-designed for any age group, from pre-school to adult; from school-day presentations to weeklong camps.  Contact us with your special needs and we can help tailor a program to meet the needs of you and your group.  We are based in North Georgia but have traveled extensively throughout the United States.

                                                                                                        


SCHOOL - DAY SESSIONS             
SPECIAL EVENTS - HISTORICAL PROGRAMS          

               OVERNIGHT CAMPOUTS

               WEEKEND PROGRAMS

               POWWOW/RENDEZVOUS

               SUMMER CAMPS

             

NOW YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO:              

start fires without matches

tan animal skins for clothing   
make tools from stone and bone                                                  

set -up and live in a tipi

cook primitively without modern utensils

     using only hot stones and other natural  materials                

make natural cordage/rope

identify and use edible/medicinal plants

use gourds, bamboo, and rivercane to                

   make useful items                                   

Let WAYS OF THE ANCESTORS take you back in time........



       
 

Buck Windsor and Richie Taylor met at the Rivercane Rendezvous at Unicoi State Park in the early 90's.  They began sharing what they'd learned with others and soon WAYS OF THE ANCESTORS was born.  Since then they have presented at dozens of schools, churches, Scout groups and others! 

Buck, a retired Bell South executive, has become a respected instructor at the Earthskills Gatherings, as well as Rabbitstick in Idaho and Winter Count in Arizona.  You can reach him at 770-540-3434 or via email at kew711@bellsouth.net.
Richie is a retired teacher from the Georgia Public school system. He is excited about having more time to devote to our programs since retirement.  He currently demonstrates at several Native Powwows and Cultural events, and as many school day programs as possible. Contact Richie at 770-262-5863 or email at rgtaylor58@aol.com

You can also visit our Facebook page at

Ways of the Ancestors Primitive Skills